Atlético Bilbao

[legendz]

Supern win tonight. They were a joy to watch. It's great to see more of these teams play so well. APOEL were a joy to watch last night for once as well. Great to see the lesser lights do well be they from major league with history of good honours or a club with millions from a small league.

[Charlie Darwin]

I was going to make this exact thread! They were awesome. United were only even in the game because they have 2 or 3 outstanding players who can scramble some respectability after being totally outclassed and outcoached.

[geysir]

They reminded me a bit of the way Chile play when they're in the mood, forceful relentless attack. That was one of the most enjoyable games in the Euro competitions. And what a travelling support!
I'll be watching the sequel.

[DeLorean]

It really was a special performance. They were even better to watch than Barca in one way, as they moved the ball quicker and with more purpose. Surprising that they only scraped through on away goals against Lokomotiv in the last round. United can take a little bit of hope from the fact that they do tend to concede a bit, and are far from invincible at home. If United can tighten up defensively they probably will get a few chances and maybe make it interesting. The Spanish Cup Final could be a bit of a treat also.

[Charlie Darwin]

They reminded me a bit of the way Chile play when they're in the mood, forceful relentless attack. That was one of the most enjoyable games in the Euro competitions. And what a travelling support!
I'll be watching the sequel.
Bielsa was the Chile coach in the World Cup if I remember correctly.

[Dodge]

It's Athletic not Atletico

They see it as a massive insult

[TheBoss]

I find it funny that Athletic Club, who have been playing that way for some months, only seem to get credit now for the way they play (cause of who they played), I know some will say, I do not look at Spanish football, but I was not surprised at all, cause I knew what to expect from them.

[culloty82]

It's Athletic not Atletico

They see it as a massive insult

Like a lot of Brazilian clubs, they were founded by English ex-patriot workers, so yes, using Spanish in the Basque Country would be a real cultural minefield! Atletic wouldn't consider themselves a little club, as they're only the third team to be ever-present in La Liga, and they have won a substantial number of honours, even if they've been in a slump since the early Eighties. It's understandable Bilbao have been under the radar, such is the two-horse race that La Liga has become, and while far from poor, the Basque-only policy is commendable in an era when Inter, to name but one team, often struggle to field an Italian in their squad.

[Stuttgart88]

I have only read about it but by all accounts they were great. Makes me a bit (more) nervous about the Spain game if club number 5 in Spain, with players who probably can't get in the Spain team*, can do that to club number 1 or 2 in England, a club that none of our players would get into.

* I'm guessing that none is in the Spain XI - are any in the expected 23?

[Charlie Darwin]

They had more than Real Madrid in the most recent Spanish squad, second only to Barcelona. Llorente has a real chance not only to oust Torres from the squad but to be their starting striker and Javi Martinez is likely to be there as well. Muniain could be a bolter too.

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks. And they're losing to Osasuna as I type.

[legendz]

yeah, saw the second half, deserved a draw at least.

[gustavo]

I have only read about it but by all accounts they were great. Makes me a bit (more) nervous about the Spain game if club number 5 in Spain, with players who probably can't get in the Spain team*, can do that to club number 1 or 2 in England, a club that none of our players would get into.

* I'm guessing that none is in the Spain XI - are any in the expected 23?
Llorente will definitely make the squad- will probably start too

Javi Martinez will make the squad too - both were at the World Cup.

Iraola and Munian could make it too

[shakermaker1982]

Llorente looks the business from the games I've seen. Were Spurs after him a while back?

[DeLorean]

Yeah, they were constantly being linked (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2060175/Harry-Redknapp-wants-Fernando-Llorente.html) with him at one point. They'd be better off trying to seal that deal before the Euros if they're still in the running.

[McNasara]

My favorite team in Spain played well this season. They just smashed Osasuna 5:1 in Pamplona a few days ago.

[TheBoss]

My favorite team in Spain played well this season. They just smashed Osasuna 5:1 in Pamplona a few days ago.

I am not so sure they would say they were from Spain ;)

[BonnieShels]

Maybe not from, but they are in Spain.

[McNasara]

Big game against Atletico Madrid at San Mames tonight. The Basques were defeated 1:0 in the first leg. Real Madrid waiting for the winner in the semi-finals.

Los Leones don't have a missing players, while Madrid side will be without two regular midfielders (Thiago and Arda).

http://s21.postimg.org/5h3mbuj9j/jjj.png

[McNasara]

1:2 :( first defeat at home this season even though they had more than 70% possession of the ball.

[McNasara]

Another big game on Sunday night, Real Madrid comes in the Basque Country. I hope they won't repeat the performance from the last games at San Mames, cause they've won their last three trips to Bilbao in La Liga by the same scoreline: 3-0.

[McNasara]

Gareth Bale won't play for Real tonight...

http://as01.epimg.net/futbol/imagenes/2014/02/02/primera/1391311350_035755_1391311475_noticia_normal.jpg

[McNasara]

Athletic completely outplayed Real in the first half, though no goals.

[McNasara]

1:1

I really hope that this team will be the Champions League participant in the next season.

[Charlie Darwin]

1:1

I really hope that this team will be the Champions League participant in the next season.
You'd have to be brave to bet against them. You really have to admire Bilbao's ability to reinvent themselves after losing their best players and not being able to bring in outside players.

[Neish]

Beti Alaves

[DeLorean]

They enjoyed their 'Community Shield' victory. Class in fairness.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMt_bqMUYAAJFTr.jpg

By the way, as has been pointed out by Dodge earlier in the thread, if any of the mods are floating around these parts maybe the thread title should be changed to 'Athletic'.

[OwlsFan]

Or even merge it with the La Liga thread. Great photo !

[BonnieShels]

The SuperCopa second leg was magnificent. Reminded me of Inter-Barca in the Nou Camp years ago under Mourinho.